News
Power supply may be restricted to a few hours in SP if …
By Ifham Nizam
The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) would be compelled to restrict power supply to a few hours in the Southern Province if the water level of the 120MW Samanala Wewa Hydro Power reservoir receded fast, a high ranking CEB official said.
The Island learns that the Bank of Ceylon and the People’s Bank will provide loans amounting to Rs. 15 billion and Rs. 30 billion respectively to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation shortly for purchasing fuel to operate thermal power stations to meet the shortfall.
Apart from the Samanala Wewa Hydro Power Station, the ACE Embilipitiya thermal Power Plant provides 120 MW to the Southern Province.
Hydro Power capacity has dropped to 70 percent from nearly 95 percent during the recent rains.
Another CEB official said that as the Sapugaskanda refinery had been closed for want of crude oil, there would be no production of furnace oil for power plants.
“Furnace oil will have to be imported urgently if we are to prevent blackouts in most parts of the country,” a senior Power Ministry official said.
Power Ministry Spokesman Sulakshana Jayawardena told The Island that the upcoming Polpitiya-Hambantota line would help tackle the anticipated problems, but he did not reveal when it would be a reality.
Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya yesterday sad that the Executive Presidency would be abolished, in line with the NPP’s election manifesto.
Speaking in Parliament, in response to a question raised under Standing Order 27/2 by Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa, the Prime Minister said the abolition would take place through a proposed new Constitution.
She added that preliminary work on drafting the new Constitution had already begun, with previous committee reports and other proposals being studied to guide the process.
“A concept paper on the draft will be presented to the Cabinet,” Amarasuriya said, noting that a formal study has been initiated on abolishing the Executive Presidency.
She said that the move cannot be implemented without introducing a new Constitution.
Leader Sajith Premadasa told Parliament yesterday that the suspension of duties imposed on Dr. Rukshan Bellana, Deputy Director of the National Hospital, amounted to a violation of his fundamental rights.
Raising the issue during parliamentary proceedings, Premadasa, who is also the SJB Leader, questioned the decision to suspend the senior medical officer for issuing a statement to the media, particularly on matters relating to children’s medicines.
He said health was a fundamental right and noted that two children had reportedly died, stressing that the focus should be on accountability over the incident rather than penalising a medical professional for speaking out.
Premadasa criticised the authorities for suspending Dr. Bellana solely for communicating with the media, asking whether such action constituted justice for families who had lost their children.The Opposition Leader said silencing officials, who raise concerns, undermines fundamental rights and does not address the underlying issues related to patient safety and public health.
Acting Deputy Director of the Colombo National Hospital Dr. Rukshan Bellana has been suspended.
A letter, issued by the Ministry of Health, says preliminary investigations by the Ministry of Health has revealed that Dr. Bellana, as a government medical officer holding a responsible position, made statements to the media, without approval, in a manner that created a controversial situation in the country and unrest among the public.
The letter further stated that formal disciplinary action will be taken in due course regarding this matter.
PM says govt. will introduce a new Constitution to abolish executive presidency
Opposition Leader rises in defence of Dr. Bellana
Dr. Bellana suspended for speaking to media
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